Análisis sociológico de la no denuncia de los delitos sexuales y sus implicaciones sociodemográficas y socioculturales en los casos de estudio “Las Hijas de Pandora” y la “Fundación María Amor” dentro del cantón Cuenca, periodo 2021

Abstract

The non-reporting of crime is a complex social phenomenon that refers to criminal incidents that have affected the population but have not been reported to any authority. The least reported crimes are sexual crimes. In Latin America and the Caribbean, it is estimated that only 5% of adult victims of sexual violence report the crime to the police. In Ecuador, only 10.8% of victims report sexual crimes, a low figure when compared to the 84.46% of victims who report car thefts. Additionally, in Ecuador, there is limited information on the non-reporting of sexual crimes that takes into account the sociodemographic and sociocultural characteristics of the victims. Similarly, little is known about the sociocultural patterns that act as inhibitors of reporting and their connection to the victim’s sociodemographic profile. This is why this research focuses on analyzing ther relationship between the victim’s sociodemographic profile and the sociocultural patterns that lead women not to report a sexual crime. The methodological approach used is qualitative, and the design is a case study. The data obtained are the result of the application of a semi-structured interview and a questionnaire. The findings reveal that the victim’s profileis not a relevant factor in nonreporting; rather, this phenomenon revolves around the stigma associated with sexual crimes, which is perceived as guilt and shame. To this finding is added the lack of trust that women have in our city’s justice system, makingit even more difficult for these types of crimes to be reported. The results of this research contribute to the literature on the subject, which could be used to improve public policy plans, programs, and projects, as well as to enhance protocols and service pathways from a differential perspective, considering the victim’s sociodemographic profile for appropriate care.